In recent years, we’ve seen stories of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church become worldwide headlines. This news has also made its way into the realm of filmmaking, with the Oscar-winning film “Spotlight” being a prime example. Now, director François Ozon takes aim at the issue with a stunning new film “By the Grace of God.”
And in honor of “By the Grace of God” arriving in select theaters next month, we’re proud to be able to present our readers with an exclusive look at the new trailer for the award-winning film. Ozon’s latest feature follows the true story of three men in France that were all abused by Father Preynat. The three grown men find out that the priest is still working with children and decide to do whatever it takes to make sure it comes to an end.
“By the Grace of God” debuted at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival to rave reviews. The feature ended up being awarded the Silver Bear (Grand Jury Prize) in the official competition.
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The film stars Melvil Poupaud, Denis Ménochet, and Swann Arlaud. As mentioned, the film is written and directed by François Ozon, who based the film on his lengthy research and interviews with Father Preynat’s real-life victims, who fully supported the film. Ozon is probably best known as the filmmaker that worked on projects such as “See The Sea,” “Under the Sand,” “Hideaway,” “In The House,” “Swimming Pool,” “The New Girlfriend,” and “Frantz.”
“By the Grace of God” will hit New York’s Film Forum on October 18 before arriving in LA a week later and expanding beyond that in the weeks to follow.
Here’s the synopsis:
Alexandre (Melvil Poupaud), lives in Lyon, a bastion of the French Catholic bourgeoisie, with his wife and four children. A fervent church-goer, he learns that Father Preynat (Bernard Verley), the priest who abused him when he was a Boy Scout, is still working with children. He decides to take action, soon to be joined by two other victims of the priest, François (Denis Ménochet) and Emmanuel (Swann Arlaud). The three men will go to great lengths to denounce the perpetrator and the institution that has always protected him, a risky endeavor that will endanger the relationships with their loved ones, as well as compromise their own fragile selves.